Salary Comparison
Grinding: Boston vs Birmingham
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Boston, MA
$49,120/yr
Birmingham, AL
$36,456/yr
Our recommendation: Birmingham, AL
Birmingham offers $1,326 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Boston
Birmingham
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$49,120
$36,456
+$12,664
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,988
$2,218
+$770
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
146
70
+76 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$3,910
$1,814
+$2,096
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$2,490
$1,043
+$1,447
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$-922
$404
$1,326
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
0.76×
1.22×
-0.46×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
2/10 (Tight)
4/10 (Tight)
-2
A vs B
Boston — Full Details
Birmingham — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.